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Impressions from a first-time Mac user

loganmarchione.com

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Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#391

Post by mmis1000 »

ARandomerDude wrote: post #372
mch82 wrote: post #365

This review is misses for me due to these two quotes: > I’m using this Macbook almost exclusively with the lid closed, with a USB-C adapter to connect my keyboard/mouse/monitor. > However, that keyboard doesn’t have the Option (⌥) or Command (⌘) keys like on my Macbook. The reviewer isn’t using the built in webcam, Touch ID, trackpad, or the Mac keyboard layout! Why even have a Mac with that setup? Opening the lid so…

I typically use my MBP on a dock with the lid closed too, because: 1. I like Linux and Mac is essentially Linix/BSD that "just works." After years of putting up with annoying bugs in Ubuntu and Manjaro, Mac has been a breath of fresh air. 2. I sometimes need Mac only tooling like XCode. 3. I don't like the glare on the MBP monitor. I have a Mac keyboard, so the command key isn't an issue.

Using windows keyboard on mac is totally fine I think. How is it a big deal if just two key switched.

And the 2016 buildin keyboard is just bad. Lack of feedback and having low travel distance. You are going to destroy your own finger if you actually decide to use it as your daily driver.

I think it is probably even worse than a $30 keyboard you can pick from random shop in case of ergonomics. How come apple designed a thing like this. (Fortunately they regretted it now)

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#392

Post by twobitshifter »

loginatnine wrote: post #297
smaddox wrote: post #224

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Instead of minimizing windows, put them on a separate virtual desktop. Or close them. I never minimize windows on purpose. I think the only reason the concept exists is because it predates virtual desktop switching. Also, instead of Alt-Tab, flick four fingers up or down and select the window of interest.

Keyboard shortcuts are IMO superior to gestures and are objectively faster. The whole virtual desktop can get quite clunky fast when you have multiple windows opened or ephemeral programs that you temporarily need.

In the case of alt+tab window switching I suspect it’s only faster if you are going to the last used window. If you’re hunting for an app through multiple alt tabs, you’re almost certainly going to take more time than using the mouse gestures to switch.

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#393

Post by FpUser »

>"Why even have a Mac with that setup?"

It was given by employer. People get used to particular keyboard, mouse, big monitor, etc. etc.

I had to write and debug some docker scripts on Mac. Since I was in no mood to buy one just for that I asked my client to supply me one. They gave me Mac laptop and I used it in exactly the same configuration with the lid closed.

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#394

Post by taylodl »

ricardobeat wrote: post #244
lbrito wrote: post #209

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>nonsense about Mac fans being blinded by their love of the brand is the edgelord meme that will not die. Thank you for the completely unemotional comment that totally does not add to the notion I was alluding to that some fans are a bit sensitive about criticism. Joking aside, our points are basically the same. I totally agree that nothing we create is intuitive "by definition"; that's my whole point. I would never…

See, Mac users rarely turn the device off. It can stay on for months without issue. Laptops can sleep for weeks before they run out of power. The power button is more like a reset switch, and doesn't need to be front and center. A lot of these first impressions are just that, first impressions, and can be quite different from feedback coming from daily users.

I read this comment and realized I don’t even remember the last time I powered down my Mac! You’re right that it’s not something I do very often. Is that not the case with Windows and Linux nowadays? What’s the point in powering down?

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#395

Post by [deleted] »

mch82 wrote: post #365

This review is misses for me due to these two quotes: > I’m using this Macbook almost exclusively with the lid closed, with a USB-C adapter to connect my keyboard/mouse/monitor. > However, that keyboard doesn’t have the Option (⌥) or Command (⌘) keys like on my Macbook. The reviewer isn’t using the built in webcam, Touch ID, trackpad, or the Mac keyboard layout! Why even have a Mac with that setup? Opening the lid so…

[deleted]

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#396

Post by 2143 »

pschastain wrote: post #358

Funny. Coming from macOS to Linux Mint, I find I can make many of the same or similar arguments but against Linux. The UI is inconsistent, esp. wrt the menu bar. Keyboard shortcuts are inconsistent across different apps. macOS remembers window positions, GNOME doesn't. macOS can use different backgrounds for different monitors, GNOME can't. The GNOME Panel is a poor substitute for the macOS Dock (which itself is seve…

I thought Mint came with Cinnamon. (Wow that was a funny sentence :D)

> macOS can use different backgrounds for different monitors, GNOME can't

That'd be the least of my problems. Also, on xfce you can set different backgrounds for different monitors.

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#397

Post by [deleted] »

CSMastermind wrote: post #257

There's a lot of people in comments defending macOS saying that the difference in switching between operating systems will lead to a bad experience no matter what and people just need to power through and learn the new system. I'll say that I've used Windows and macOS both personally and professionally for two decades now (longer for Windows). I'd consider myself a power user in both OSes, I know the keyboard shortcu…

[deleted]

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#398

Post by [deleted] »

lbrito wrote: post #20

>you use what they give you, how they give it to you, using their workflows, barely customizing anything. Apple products are supposed to be revered the world over as the pinnacle of design, used by artists, engineers, professionals, and creators. Why do I feel like there are training wheels on a machine I use for productivity? Gosh, this is exactly how I felt in a similar situation. Really hit the nail on the head. I…

[deleted]

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#399

Post by gamerDude »

CSMastermind wrote: post #257

There's a lot of people in comments defending macOS saying that the difference in switching between operating systems will lead to a bad experience no matter what and people just need to power through and learn the new system. I'll say that I've used Windows and macOS both personally and professionally for two decades now (longer for Windows). I'd consider myself a power user in both OSes, I know the keyboard shortcu…

Last year, I switched from Windows to Ubuntu and it was an incredibly easy transition and while there are some oddities with Ubuntu, like some software is hard to update and I've had a couple weird things with audio settings, everything has been quite seamless and easy.

I mention this in support that switching OSes does not necessarily have to be difficult.

Re: Impressions from a first-time Mac user

#400

Post by ddingus »

Asraelite wrote: post #187
colinmhayes wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The solution is simple. Don't minimize windows. Everything fullscreen on virtual desktops. Three fingers up and choose the window you want if it's one you don't use normally. Three finger swipe between frequently used windows.

I do this. It's absolutely insane that it's the easiest way to do window management in MacOS. We have regressed to the point of not having windows anymore.

I do too.

A while back I had the Raspberry Pi 400 computer on my desk and a newish M1 Mac. It was interesting how much better the window management was on the Pi. Frankly, for things like file management, that little computer was Snappy as hell.

And it does dual monitors like a champ!

And don't get me wrong here, I've used a lot of systems, and I'm fine with my Mac. I know how to use it, I get things done and the M1 chip is really sweet.

I generally go with the flow figure out what the flow is and I just don't worry about it past that. I just had to comment on this particular topic because I thought it was kind of humorous.

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